As expected, large sport utility vehicles are the most expensive to drive, costing about 75 cents a mile to operate, compared to 63 cents for a mini-van and only 45 cents per mile for small sedans.

In fact, with the costs of driving a large SUV topping $11,000 a year, Calkins says it may no longer be the best bet for large families.

“Minivans, on the other hand, have staged something of a renaissance over the last year to 18 months…in reality, if you have a family, there isn’t a more convenient type of vehicle than a minivan,” said Calkins. “They just meet so many needs so well.”

A sharp rise in the cost of raw materials, energy and transportation pushed tire prices up 15.7 percent to .96 cents per mile on average for sedan owners. The survey also says prices are also rising amid a recent trend by automakers to provide premium-quality tires on their newest vehicles as a selling tool.

Often the most overlooked factor by consumers in selecting which type of car to purchase, value depreciation continues to be the largest cost for vehicle owners, with a 4.9 percent increase in depreciation costs for 2011 so far, averaging $3,728 yearly for sedans.